By Joshua Huff, sports editor
CENTER POINT — The Center Point Eagles return home this week for their final home game of the season with Class 5A Region 5 opponent Springville making the trip down I-59 in a clash of region foes.
Photo by Joshua Huff
The Eagles enter the contest riding a four-game winning streak after dispatching Homewood, 22-21, on a touchdown within the final minute along with a game-winning two-point conversion plunge from Jayson Jones.
“Our word of the week was ascend,” Center Point head coach George Bates said. “That means to rise to a higher level. That’s one thing that we wanted to do.”
That ascension into the upper level of the region has come in Bates’ second year at the helm. So far, Bates had the best region winning percentage in Center Point history (dating back to 1977). Through two seasons, Bates is 8-2 in Region 5.
Center Point has developed some moxie as this season has progressed. Following a 6-24 loss to Mountain Brook in week two, the Eagles has dispatched Mortimer Jordan, Munford, St. Clair County and now Homewood. And now, the Eagles’ eyes shift to a Springville team that shook off a three-game losing streak to soundly defeat Crossville, 44-14, this past week.
Not only is this upcoming game for Center Point important because the two region foes reside just miles apart, but the game is a gateway into Center Point’s week seven match against Region 5 power Sylacauga. Win, and the Eagles will travel to face the Aggies in first place in Region 5; lose, and the Eagles will enter a brutal three-game stretch to conclude the regular season with fellow undefeated region resident Central Clay County waiting on deck.
With the dual offensive threat of Jones and quarterback Javon Davis, the Eagles have had no trouble moving the ball down the field this season. Along with a plethora of offensive weapons, Center Point will now face a Springville defense that allowed over 40-plus points per game during its three-game losing streak.
Springville has allowed 129 points in region play alone through three games this season. Center Point, on the other hand, has the highest scoring offense in the region with 114 points scored in three region games. Through seven region games in 2018, the Eagles recorded just 212 total points. Center Point, in its current form, is on track to blow past those numbers.
Center Point’s continued ascension began with the 2018 Springville game. The Eagles entered that matchup 2-3 and coming off a 0-24 loss to Homewood. After that loss to the Patriots, the Eagles went off on a three-game winning streak beginning with a 54-14 victory over the Tigers.
“Our guys fought and fought and fought,” Bates said. “That’s all you can ask for from these kids. These kids want more than what Center Point has been getting. We are going to go out and earn what we need to do.”
